Improvement in steel scythe-sharpeners



- W. Dow. Steel Soythe-Sharpener. No. 221,54 o.

Patented Nov. 11,1879.

ATTORNEY N. PETERS.

of this specification.

tially worn out by use when it has to be thrown aside and a new one substituted.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIOE WELLINGTON DOW, OF FlSHS EDDY, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT lN STEEL SCYTHE-SHARPENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 221,540, dated November 11, 1879; application filed September 18, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WELLINGTON Dow, of Fishs Eddy, in the county of Delaware and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steel Scythe- Sharpeners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact .description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part Figure l is a perspective view of my improved reversible steel scythe-sharpener attached to the handle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the reversible file. Fig. 3 is a crosssection of the file or sharpener. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the handle.

The object of this invention is to produce a steel scythe-sharpener that shall be reversible, so that both ends may be entirely used as well as the body of the sharpener.

In the steel scythe-sharpeners now in general use only one end can be used, on account of the other end being permanently attached to a handle; hence the sharpener is only par- The advantages of this steel scythe-sharpener are well known to those using it fer these reason s. Itis better adapted for sharpening the scythe; it sets a better edge and wears the blade of the scythe less, and saves time in the work of sharpenin Again, because of these advantages, the scythe requires less grinding to keep it in condition for use than when a stone or emery is used; also, the steel file does not wear the pocket like the ordinary stone or emery rifle.

My invention, therefore, consists in a reversible steel scythe-sharpener of a double convex form in cross-section, and having both ends of the sharpener alike, so as to be adapted to enter a socket in the handle, and secured therein by a clamp or set-screw;

A steel scythe-sharpener of this construction is much lighter than one of stone, or than one composed of emery, is not so cumbersome, and more convenient for the purpose intended.

It is also more durable and less expensive.

In the annexed drawings, forming a part of the specification, the letter A represents my improved steel scythe-sharpener, both ends of which are tapering and rounded off at b. The shape of this steel scythe-sharpener in crosssection, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, is

that of a double convex.

The letter B is the handle, having the ferrule 0, the cap D, and set-screw d. This handle is provided with a socket or recess, 0, corresponding in shape with the ends of the steel sharpener. The steel A is inserted in the socket e of the handle, and secured in position for use by means of the set-screw. The metal cap D, extending downwardly and covering the face end of the handle, is to preserve the shape of the socket-opening and retain the sharpener in the handle in a rigid manner. This steel sharpener A is so secured to the handle that when the outer portion is worn out it can be reversed or ends changed by unloosening the set-screw, and the unworn end I presented for use, thus entirely using up the entire sharpener.

The shapener, being made of steel and of the shape shown, is much lighter than stone or emery, and with its handle more convenient to handle, and does not wear the pocket like the-ordinary emery rifle.

The steel sharpener, being of a double convex shape, sets a better keen edge upon the scythe and wears it less; also, the sharpener, being made of steel, is more durable than those made of other materials, and, considering its durability, it is less expensive; also, being small and in a compact form, it can be easily and conveniently shipped in large quantities.

Other advantages of this steel sharpener over a stone are, first, that because of the fineness of the metallic particles and the evenness of temper obtained it wears evenly, and, because of the reversibility, it wears alike its whole length, whereas the stone wears from the middle abruptly in the direction of the ends, leaving a shoulder, which is apt to strike the edge of the blade, turning or otherwise damagingit; second, because of the harshness and brittleness of the grain of stones used as scythe-sharpeners, they act more directly on the edge of the scythe, and require that the angle of contact be more to right angles with the blade, thus striking off the edge and rendering the blade thick and dull or rounded. This difiiculty is obviated by the steel sharpener. Its utility is moreperceptible when the stroke is with the angle of the blade, and, be-

cause of its taper being gradual, there is no shoulder or offset or other uneven points worn to strike the edge of the blade in the act of sharpening. These objections are largely overcome and these advantages fully obtained by the use of my invention, and especially 011 account of its peculiar construction, whereby the blade receives the stroke of the steel from the place, or near the place, of contact with the handle, the file thus operating as much in the direction of the handle to the center as from September, 1879.

WELLINGTON DOW.

\Vitnesses:

S. F. WHEELER, JOHN Q. ADAMS. 

